First Battle

"Shiyu, Teacher Hyuga wants us to gather at the Konoha gates! He just informed us that we've received a C-rank mission, and we should head out now! I couldn't find you, so Xiao Xing here happened to be looking for you too," Hinata Kurenai said.

"Xiao Xing, is something the matter?" Shiyu also asked.

"Shiyu-bro, it's nothing. You're going on a mission, so this is just a small token of my appreciation!" Xiao Xing handed Shiyu some military rations she had bought, which moved Shiyu deeply.

"Silly girl, it's fine, it's just a C-rank mission. Just wait for my return!" Shiyu comforted her, then quickly finished packing his gear.

Hinata Kurenai, Kakashi Nao, and Uchiha Shigure, Team Seven, arrived at the Konoha gates. Hyuga Hizashi and another burly man were already waiting there.

"Kurenai, Nao, Shiyu! Let's go!" Hizashi announced. "Because of your outstanding performance, I specifically requested a C-rank mission for you. I hope you can complete it perfectly!"

"Can these three brats be relied upon!?" The burly man seemed very unconvinced of Shiyu's group's strength.

"As Genin, they are absolutely the best. You should know, sir, that your commission fee barely meets the standard for a C-rank mission."

After being rebuffed by Hyuga Hizashi, the man became much more subdued.

"The gentleman you see here is Noguchi Hideo, the client for this mission," Hyuga Hizashi introduced.

"It's simple. We just need to protect Mr. Noguchi from attacks by wild animals and bandits," Hizashi explained the mission's objective.

"This is a C-rank mission, usually undertaken by Chunin. However, considering it's within the Land of Fire and I'm leading the team, I've made an exception for you! I believe in you!" Hizashi explained while offering encouragement.

After walking for about three hours, the five of them went from noon to afternoon, and the sky began to darken.

"It seems we won't reach the next town with our current pace. Let's rest here for the night and set off again in the morning!" Hizashi said.

"At this rate, when will we ever get there?" the burly man said anxiously.

"Mr. Noguchi, is there something you're hiding from us?" Shiyu immediately asked Noguchi.

Mr. Noguchi suddenly looked flustered but tried to remain calm. "What are you talking about! I'm not hiding anything from you!"

However, everyone present didn't quite believe him.

"Awooo!" In the dark and windy night, wolf packs began to howl.

"What is that sound?" Noguchi trembled, and Hinata Kurenai was clearly frightened.

"Kurenai, protect Mr. Noguchi. Shiyu and Nao, maintain formation! Byakugan!" Hyuga Hizashi activated his Byakugan, his eyes instantly surrounded by blood vessels and bulging veins.

"Wolf pack attack!" As soon as Hizashi shouted, a pack of wolves hidden in the dense forest pounced.

"Ah! Teacher Hyuga!" Hinata Kurenai screamed.

Kakashi Nao was sweating profusely, clearly unaccustomed to such a dire situation. He swung his Gray Fang and charged into the wolf pack, taking down several wolves with a few slashes.

However, the wolves became frenzied upon seeing blood and began to howl.

"Awooo!"

"Awooo!"

"How many wolves are there in total!?" Noguchi exclaimed fearfully.

Hinata Kurenai, holding a kunai, stood frozen.

Her emotions instantly broke down.

Shiyu sneered at the wolf pack and shouted, "Hatake! Return to the team! Get close to Noguchi, form a circle!"

"Alright!" Hatake hadn't completely lost his reason. He kicked away a wolf, and then the three of them formed a circle, surrounding Noguchi in the center.

"What do wolves fear most? Fire! Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!" Shiyu instantly completed the hand seals, and a massive fireball erupted from his mouth.

The wolves that were too close didn't even have time to react before they were instantly ignited and burned to death by Shiyu's fire jutsu. Wolves are cunning creatures, and seeing such fierce opponents, they instantly vanished without a trace.

Shiyu lowered his hands and said, "It's over. Everyone, let's sleep!"

Noguchi hadn't even processed what happened, only to find the crisis had been resolved.

Even Hinata Kurenai and Kakashi Nao were somewhat disbelieving.

"Sleep? But Teacher Hyuga..." Hinata Kurenai looked at the spot where Hyuga had fallen but found no trace of him, only a wooden stump.

"Big guy, Kurenai, Nao, Teacher Hyuga isn't dead. He's a Jonin, after all! He probably wanted to see our reaction capabilities just now, and he's likely watching us from somewhere!"

Seeing their doubtful gazes, Shiyu scratched his head. "Has anyone here truly been injured? If you were really in danger, Teacher Hyuga would have appeared."

As if on cue, as soon as Shiyu finished speaking, Hyuga Hizashi appeared before them with a Shunshin.

He first looked at Kurenai and Nao, then at Noguchi and Shiyu.

"Shiyu, I observed the entire crisis from beginning to end. You were the most composed. Not only did you protect your teammates, but you also protected the client, Mr. Noguchi, and even repelled the enemy. From now on, you are the captain of Team Seven," Hyuga Hizashi said calmly.

"Let's talk about Nao. Did you ever consider the consequences of rushing headlong into the wolf pack? If there had been more wolves, you could have easily been surrounded. If Shiyu hadn't called you back, what would have happened? And the danger to Mr. Noguchi and your companions? Did you pay any attention?"

"Miss Kurenai, ninjas not only need ninjutsu but also a compassionate heart. Just now, your mind collapsed. Regardless of the reason, I hope that from now on, your mind can become stronger, okay?" Although Hizashi wasn't harsh, both Nao and Kurenai felt a deep sense of self-reproach.

Hizashi then turned to Noguchi and said, "I apologize, Mr. Noguchi. I believe you've understood now. It was just a false alarm."

"It's alright, it's alright." Mr. Noguchi didn't dare to say anything more.

The group spent the night without incident, taking turns on watch. Fortunately, there were no further disturbances.

As soon as dawn broke the next day, they resumed their journey.

In comparison, Nao and Kurenai were noticeably more composed, and Hyuga nodded secretly as he watched them.

"Knowing your mistakes and correcting them, excellent!"

Shiyu, meanwhile, focused his attention on the burly man, Noguchi.